Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2010 22:00:56 -0600
From: Paul Tolbert <jatonblue@gmail.com>
Subject: The Unit 25

Chapter Twenty-Five - The End

"It's for the best." Dave kept his focus on the road as he drove to the
Kelencine building one last time to make his intentions known to Lincoln
that he was resigning. He kept telling himself that it was for the best and
that his partner of a short run would understand. They've only worked with
each other for one day so no attachment could have possibly formed in that
short span of time, at least on Lincoln's end. Dave was sure of it.

As he continued to drive he began thinking about the dream he had. It felt
so real.

"What was I thinking? I wasn't ready to take on something like this.
Dammit!" Dave frowned as he continued to beat himself up over his decision
to join The Unit. He knew he wasn't ready to take on such a big job like
that but he felt depressed just staying in his apartment all day
drinking. Besides he needed a job to pay his rent.

"I should have just settled for private security." He said to himself. He
slowed down as he came to an intersection. He looked to his left and saw
the Kelencine building coming into view. This was it. How was he going to
break it to Lincoln, someone he'd grown close to in such a short period of
time that he was leaving?

As Dave parked his SUV he sat in the vehicle for a few minutes thinking
about what he was about to do. He placed his hands on the dashboard and
began lightly tapping them against it. What about the two murder victims
Cheryl Gillett and Kathleen Baker? What about the promise he made to
Kathleen's mother that he would find the killer?

"It's for the best. It's for the best. I have to do this. I'm too much of a
liability."

Dave stepped out of the vehicle and began walking towards the elevator. He
noticed the hand scanner in front of him and became concerned.

'Would my handprint even work?' He though. He had no other choice but to
try. He placed his palm on the scanner and waited as it began reading his
palm print. A few seconds later the panel flashed green and the elevator
doors opened. Dave looked on surprised as he stared at the LCD panel.

Identity Confirmed: Special Agent David Michael Batista

He entered the elevator and leaned against the guard rail as the doors
closed. He looked up at the ceiling as the elevator made its decent
downward. It was in an elevator just like this that he first learned about
The Unit from his old partner Jackson. He hated Jackson for even bringing
up The Unit to him.

The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. Dave stepped out and
looked at his surroundings. Busy as usual in the dollhouse. People walking
around looking like that had important work to do. He looked around to see
if he could find Lincoln in the mass of bodies but there was no sign of the
young psychic anywhere.

'He's probably in his office.' Dave said to himself. He walked down the
stairs into the main hub-like area and began to make his way to Lincoln's
office.

He entered the office to find that no one was there.

'Where is he?' Dave thought. He walked to Lincoln's desk and saw a massive
pile of files cluttering the small surface. Dave picked one up and read
it. They were DMV records of Cheryl Gillett. He placed the file down and
decided to go upstairs to see if maybe he was with Topher Brink getting
another "Chair Treatment".

"hmm? Lincoln? Oh um he's...somewhere...around here...i...not sure..."

"TOPHER!"

"YEAH! Oh um I saw him earlier but um he's like somewhere else now dude."

"Excuse me?"

"He's gone! Vanished. Disappeared. Possibly Hidden. Now if you would please
give me some room here." Topher had his complete attention focused on his
workstation where he was typing ferociously. Dave looked at the monitor and
saw that he was looking at a 3D image of a brain. It looked fascinating.

"Topher look I know we've gotten off to a bad start but--"

"Look this isn't about you choking me, assaulting me and um well um
basically beating me up or anything." Topher rolled his eyes and continued
to work. Dave was growing ever impatient with the funny looking nerd. He
sat down next to him and began to make his plea.

"Listen to me Topher i... I don't need the attitude OK? I just want to know
where Lincoln is."

"Do you always act this aggressive with people you just meet? I mean really
you should get that checked out or something. Anger management is a
beautiful thing you know?" Topher criticized

Dave drew in a deep breath and frowned. This wasn't going to end well for
Topher. Dave turned and grabbed Topher's shoulders and got within inches of
his face, breathing heavily.

"You listen to me you little punk. I'm going to beat you senseless if you
don't tell me right now where Lincoln is." Topher eyes widen and he began
stammering.

"OK OK OK! The food here sucks so he went to go get us some Krispy
Kremes. He'll be back soon I swear!"

"Thank you." Dave glared and let go of Topher. He got up and headed back
downstairs.

Dave sat down on a bench in the main hall awaiting Lincoln's arrival. He
sighed and kept his eyes transfixed on the elevator doors waiting for them
to open. His heart began pounding faster inside his chest cavity.

"Special Agent Batista."

Dave shot up and turned around to see Agent Paul Ballard standing behind
him.

"Oh hi Paul."

"Hey. So how do you like your new position? I've noticed Lincoln is quite
pleased to have you as his new partner."

Dave felt his heart flutter. Did Lincoln really feel that way?"

"Oh um yeah. Look Paul I not sure if this is going to work out for me. I
appreciate the opportunity but I think I'm going to have to resign."

"Really...?" Paul had a concern look on his face. He placed his hands in
his pockets and bit his lip.

"Yeah. I'm just not ready for this." Dave added.

"Look I understand you have some past issues you're still dealing with. We
have therapist you can talk to--"

"I've made up my mind. I'm quitting." Dave replied quickly.

A long silence lingered in the air.

"OK Dave. If this is what you want then that's fine. You will have to
complete a debrief before you will be officially terminated. We can do that
tomorrow. It'll give you some more time to think this through. Have you
told Lincoln yet?"

"Um no. I'm actually waiting for him to come back. Topher said he went on a
food run."

"Yeah the food here isn't all that great, which is odd considering the
budget for this place is massive, or so I've heard." Paul
chuckled. "Anyways I'll leave you to tell him. I'm quite sure he'll be
disappointed though. You should really reconsider Dave. We think you would
be a great asset to The Unit."

"I'm quite sure of my decision Agent Ballard. Thank you." Dave said
coldly. He sat back down and focused his attention back on the
elevator. Minutes past before anything happened. He began to look at the
people who were coming and going, noticing who was armed and who
wasn't. He'd figure the non-armed civilians were psychics and the armed
ones were their handlers.

Dave began to think about how Lincoln would take the news of him
leaving. The words of Paul saying that Lincoln was pleased to have him as
his partner resonated in his mind. Deep down Dave really liked working with
Lincoln. Had Lincoln formed an attachment to Dave?

A few minutes later Dave decided that it might be best not to tell Lincoln
face to face that he was resigning. He got up and headed upstairs to the
elevator to leave.

'He'll understand.' Dave said to himself. He pressed the button on the side
panel and waited for the doors to open. He stuffed his hands in his pockets
and sighed. A few seconds later the doors opened and Dave gasped as he saw
Lincoln standing before him holding a white box full of donuts and 2
coffees.

"DAVE! Hey." Lincoln exclaimed. He quickly stepped out of the elevator and
beamed up at the agent.

"Hey Linc." Dave said quietly.

"I'm glad you're here because I need to show you something. It's about the
case. I think I made a break. I brought us some coffee and donuts. I was
here all last night trying to figure this whole thing out and I think I got
somewhere."

"That's great Linc." Dave replied weakly. Lincoln's face went from a smile
to concern.

"Dave is there something wrong?"

"Actually Linc I um..." Dave grabbed Lincoln's shoulder and pulled him to
the side.

"What?" Lincoln asked.

"Linc I don't think that I should be here. I'm quitting."

Lincoln looked confused. "Why? What's wrong?"

Dave sighed. "It's just...I don't think I'm ready for something like this."

"Oh." Lincoln replied. He began to shift around, juggling the items in his
hands with great precision despite his now feelings of confusion and
despair.

"I really enjoyed working with you." Dave added.

"Yeah you too." Lincoln kept his head down.

"I'm gonna go now. Good luck with the case and all."

"Sure..."

Dave got in the elevator and watched Lincoln as the doors closed. He looked
sad to see Batista leaving. Dave shook off his emotions and closed his
eyes; a tear began streaming down his cheek. He needed a drink.

...